Just purchased a second hand Graupner Cherry II. Does anyone have any experience with this plane and could maybe tell me what to expect? I have a few days to wait until I receive a charger. This my first larger electric sailplane. It has ten cells a JES 35 speed control and looks like a direct drive Graupner Speed 700BB motor.
Thanks Doug

Hi Doug,
You'll have fun with this plane. They scoot right along. Make sure that you set up the plane to incorporate spoilerons to help manage approach speeds. The speed 700 dd motor will do an ok job of hauling her up to altitude, but you should consider a brushless drivetrain for steep fast climbouts!

Randy

I've just finished building a Graupner Cherry *1*! It was sat under my bed for years forgotten. Don't suppose either of you have any idea what it'll be like? I can find barely any information about it on the web...

I flew my Cherry II about four times and each time got better. I felt the speed 700 motor was underpowered for the model but once I got use to the fact I needed to ascend on a gradual angle the plane handled nice. Also being my first electric model I had not experienced the tendency to torque role.
I would suggest to have someone throw it for you and be ready to adjust for the torque role. Climb gradually to a nice altitude.
Overall the plane flew well but damaged mine a little on a couple of fast landings.
Good luck

Thanks for the advice. Do you have any idea how the Cherry and Cherry 2 were different?

I do not really know what the difference was on the two. It may just be the motor size and color. Hobby Lobby has another plane out now that looks like the Cherry II but has a different name
Doug

I had one of each and the difference was that the Cherry II had ailerons. Quite a nice plane, but the weak point was the fuselage made of plastic. It was definitely fragile, so be careful on landings.